Black Friday Purchase - How'd I do?

[derocknc]

CARE1: Ultra Enhanced Packaging Solution - Protect Your Dream System During Transit [+19]
CAS: Corsair Carbide Series 400R Mid-Tower Gaming Case [-33]
CASUPGRADE: None
CD: 24X Double Layer Dual Format DVD+-R/+-RW + CD-R/RW Drive (BLACK COLOR)
CD2: None
COOLANT: Standard Coolant
CPU: Intel(R) Core™ i7-3770K 3.50 GHz 8MB Intel Smart Cache LGA1155 (All Venom OC Certified)
CS_FAN: Maximum 120MM Case Cooling Fans for your selected case [+9]
ENGRAVING: None
FA_HDD: None
FAN: Asetek 570LX Liquid Cooling system w/ 240MM Radiator and Dual Fans (Extreme Overclocking Performance + Extreme Silent at 20dBA)
FLASHMEDIA: INTERNAL 12in1 Flash Media Reader/Writer (BLACK COLOR)
FREEBIE_CU1: Skytex Imagine7 7" 1280x800 1.6 GHz Dual-Core Processor Multimedia Tablet w/ 16GB storage + Up to 32GB MicroSD Expansion Slot, 1GB RAM, 2MP Front Camera, Bluetooth 3.0, 802.11 b/g/n [+0]
FREEBIE_MB: None
FREEBIE_VC: FREE AMD Tahiti Bundle Game Coupon [+0]
FREEBIE_VC2: None
GLASSES: None
HDD: * 64GB SanDisk SATA III 6.0Gb/s SSD - 490 MB/s Read & 240 MB/s Write [-20] (Single Drive)
HDD2: 500GB Western Digital Caviar Blue SATA-III 6.0Gb/s 7200 RPM HDD [+69] (Single Drive)
IEEE_CARD: None
IUSB: Built-in USB 2.0 Ports
KEYBOARD: AZZA Multimedia USB Gaming Keyboard
MB_SRT: None
MEMORY: 8GB (4GBx2) DDR3/2133MHz Dual Channel Memory [+17] (G.SKILL Ripjaws X [+7])
MONITOR: None
MONITOR2: None
MONITOR3: None
MOTHERBOARD: [CrossFireX] ASUS P8Z77-V LX Intel Z77 Chipset DDR3 ATX Mainboard w/ IRST, Lucid Virtu MVP, 7.1 HD Audio, GbLAN, 2x PCIe x16 (1 Gen3, 1 Gen2), 2x PCIe x1 & 3 PCI (Extreme OC Certified) [+3]
MOUSE: AZZA Optical 1600dpi Gaming Mouse with Weight Adjustable Cartridge
NETWORK: Onboard Gigabit LAN Network
OS: Microsoft(R) Windows 8 (64-bit Edition)
OVERCLOCK: Pro OC (Performance Overclock 10% or more)
POWERSUPPLY: 750 Watts - Corsair CMPSU-750TXV2 80 Plus Power Supply - Quad SLI Ready [+63]
RUSH: No Rush Service, Estimate Ship date by 12/10/2012
SERVICE: STANDARD WARRANTY: 3-YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY PLUS LIFE-TIME TECHNICAL SUPPORT
SOUND: HIGH DEFINITION ON-BOARD 7.1 AUDIO
SPEAKERS: None
TABLET: None
TEMP: None
TUNING: * Intel(R) Core™ i7-3770K Performance Tuning Protection Plan by Intel [+29]
TVRC: None
USB: None
USBFLASH: None
USBHD: None
USBX: None
VIDEO: AMD Radeon HD 7970 3GB 16X PCIe 3.0 Video Card [+182] (Major Brand Powered by AMD)
VIDEO2: None
VIDEO3: None
WNC: 802.11b/g/n 300Mbps PCI Wireless Adapter Network Card [+26]
_PRICE: (+1346)
_view_: {B614533F-D390-4F7A-BD41-B8374339FB50}
_load_: 11/23/2012 4:41:02 AM
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Coupon: INSTANT (5% Discount) $-67.30
SUBTOTAL $1,278.70
Sales Tax (N/A) $0.00
Shipping: UPS Ground $75.00
----------------------------------------------------------------------
GRAND TOTAL $1,353.70

I got $109 worth of mail in rebates so the real total is $1,244.70

It also came with a $199 tablet for free, which I have a buyer for at $150. I think I made out okay. I didn't plan to spend that much but this was the best deal I've ever seen on an HD 7970 so I splurged a little I guess. One main question I have is whether I made the correct choice on RAM. I was wrestling with either going with 16gb of 1866 versus 8gb of 2133. I decided faster RAM is better for gaming, which is primarily what the computer is for, so I went with that, knowing I can upgrade to 16gb later if I want. Is this the right line of thinking? What about the motherboard? I hated to spend an extra $63 on the power supply but for some reason with that particular configuration I could not chose a cheaper power supply unless it was the standard one which I heard is terrible so I bit the bullet on that too.

This computer will be paired with a Logitech G400 mouse($34 amazon), Blackwidow keyboard (blue switches) ($59 amazon), and Acer 235HZ 120hz monitor ($199 amazon)

 

[Deemo13]

Not that bad. At least you picked a good power supply from them.

I just don't like how they outfit their computers with so much glamour.

 

[derocknc]

Yeah, I toned down the case a bit from what it was originally. I just like a plain/functional case.. I actually wanted the Corsair 600T but CyberpowerPC doesn't offer it. I contemplated building my own, but to be honest, when I put all the parts together on pcpartpicker and searched for deals myself I wasn't going to save any money. I see a lot of people on here saying you can save all kinds of money by building it yourself and I would think you could but I kept putting it together for more than I paid! Granted, I've never done it before so maybe there are savings tricks and websites I don't know about. What did you guys think about that RAM question? 16gb 1866 vs 8gb 2133? I plan to look for a deal to upgrade from 8 to 16 in the future but for now didn't want to spend EVEN more when I figured only 8gb is necessary, especially for gaming.

 

[Deemo13]

You can't save all that much money, sure, but I feel it is a bit more fun and you get a wider variety of customization.

 

[ssddx]

since retail pc companies pay less for the parts then you do it is hard to beat their prices. often to beat the prices by any more then a few percent you need to look for special offers online or at stores.

what you do gain is being able to choose the exact parts and brands you want.

this is why i will never buy a retail pc with the exception of laptops. there are certain brands i trust and specific components i want.